SWEET CREATURE // Luke Patterson

- lack of control -

The breeze blew through the soft strands of her hair making it float and drift softly in the blue skies surrounding her. The red pastel pink and white patterned blanket sat beneath her, sinking into the grass with her added weight. She could feel each and every bend and twist of it beneath her skin seemingly sensitive to the chill air, raising bumps on her arms in its wake.

Birds cheeped in the trees above as the sun glazed through its branches in long golden beams cascading upon her skin. Hugging her in a warm comforting embrace. The sun felt ethereal In its place as if it was meant to be there forever.

Brows relaxed with no crease in sight as her eyes lingered over to the two figures throwing a ball back and forth further down the hill, littered with the most perfect dainty white flowers. The floral scent coated her senses like sweet honey making her naturally take a deep breath in before letting one out in a comforted sigh.

Gentle feather-like fingers began to gather the hair of the girl's head in soothing patterns. The touches were so small she barely registered it other than the overwhelming feeling of being home covering her from head to toe. Sounds of laughter echoed in the wind imprinting themselves in her brain which she clutched with a strong hold never to let go.

Her hair was moulded in her mothers hands with ease as she tied her hair into the young girl's signature braid. Her hair looked as if it had grown rapidly overnight as it now cascaded all the way down the girls back opposed to her usual medium length hair along her floral white dress. The dress slightly puffed out at her waist allowing it to flow out all around her in the sat position she held making her feel like a princess. Making her feel important.

This was where she belonged. This is where she felt at home.

Those phrases echoed in her head like a soft hymn.

With the golden streaks of sun caressing her young cheeks making her glow, the soothing and assuring touches from her mother she loved so dearly and the sounds of her father and brother close beside her; she felt at peace.

Her family was her blanket, the house she lived for and nothing could ever take that away from her. The girl had wild dreams to become the next best singer and her mother would be there at her side cheering her on in the crowd.

Support encouraged her dreams and nothing would crush them. She knew her prop microphone and newly gifted guitar would be waiting at home, and as much as she was enjoying breathing in the fresh air of their beautiful spot, she couldn't wait much longer. Her mother knowing her best would already know that and have guessed it from a mile away. She always knew the girls thoughts a step ahead of herself.

"All done sweetheart. Now don't you look like the perfect rockstar." she spun around to allow her mum to pull at the baby hairs which framed her round face in random directions. Just how she liked it.

Her smile couldn't be wider if she tried, as her innocent eyes took in her mothers features as if it was for the first time. She was beautiful with her long lashes attached to her emerald eyes. Her matching brown hair held curls gracing her across her shoulders in perfect waves framing her like art. A smile also greeted the woman's lips stretching across her face making her glow from the warmth she seemed to spread wherever she went. Instead of envying her mum she instead admired her. Every little thing about the woman she loved from her beauty to the enormous love her heart had to share.

The woman looked at the girl with fondness as her hands held the young girl's cheek with such care. Her touch was light and delicate as her finger rubbed soothing patterns back and forth making the girl melt into her touch. She touched her as if she would break, fragile to the touch.

Seemingly in a trance she almost missed the soft words that seeped from her lips.

"You are beautiful Dani. My one and only star, don't forget that."